Safety ski binding

ABSTRACT

A safety ski binding of the type incorporating at least one securing head into which there can be inserted the ski boot, this securing head being raisable at the side of the ski boot and incorporating two retaining arms, the free ends of which hold or secure the ski boot, these retaining arms being laterally pivotable for the purpose of releasing the ski boot. According to important aspects of the invention the securing head is equipped with a latching or locking mechanism which fixes the securing head in its lowered position, such latching mechanism engaging with predetermined locations of said retaining arms. The latching mechanism is subjected to the counter force of at least one spring member, so that upon exceeding the adjusted force this spring member releases the latching mechanism and therefore the securing head.

United States Patent Martin Mar. 7, 1972 [54] SAFETY SK] BINDING Primary Examiner-Benjamin Hersh [72] Inventor: Hans Martin, Volkmarstrasse 6, Zurich, jmsmm zs a gr Song Swimfland ttarneyerner eeman {22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 33,264 A safety ski binding of the type incorporating at least one securing head into which there can be inserted the ski boot, 30] Foreign Appficafion Priority Data this securing head being raisable at the side of the ski boot and incorporating two retaining arms, the free ends of which hold May 9, 1969 Switzerland ..7173/69 of s cur the ski boot, these retaining arms being laterally pivotable for the purpose of releasing the ski boot. According [52] U.S.Cl ..280/ll.35T to important aspecs of the invention the Securing head is [51] Int. Cl ..A63c 9/00 equipped with a latching or locking mechanism which fixes [58] Field of Search ..280/11.35 T the securing head in its lowered position such latching mechanism engaging with predetermined locations of said [56] Reteremes cued retaining arms. The latching mechanism is subjected to the UNITED STATES PATENTS counter force of at least one spring member, so that upon exceedmg the adjusted force this spring member releases the HUSS T latching mechanism and therefore the securing head 3,572,738 3/1971 Martin ..280/11.35 T

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 7 m2 SHEET 1 BF 2 INVENIOR Ma's M/mrm/ ATTORNEY PATENTEUMAR 7 I972 SHEET 2 BF 2 INVENTOR BY WM-M ATTORNEY SAFETY SKI BINDING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to the art of ski bindings and, more specifically, deals with a new and improved safety ski binding having at least one securing head which can be raised, arranged at the side of the ski boot, and facilitating the insertion of such ski boot, and further, wherein such securing head is composed of two holding or retaining arms, the free ends of which serve to retain the ski boot, these holding arms being laterally pivotable against the action of at least one spring member for the purpose of releasing the ski boot.

In a large number of prior art safety ski bindings the ski boot is only then released if there occurs a load at the ski boot which acts essentially transverse to the direction of skiing, such load overcoming the adjusted holding force of the binding. On the other hand, if a load occurs which is directed parallel to the direction of skiing or travel of the skier, that is to say, for instance if during a fall the skier falls forwardly or else leans back and falls rearwardly, then such type safety ski binding is ineffective.

A second group of safety ski bindings releases the ski boot not only when there is applied a transverse directed load, rather also during falls forwardly; but not for falls rearwardly. Consequently, this type of safety ski binding likewise only affords a partial protection against accidents.

Finally, a third classification of ski bindings have become known to the art in which such respond to loads both directed transversely as well as parallel to the direction of skiing, that is to say, when the skier falls forwardly or rearwardly, and whereby the ski binding opens. Yet, the construction of this type of safety ski binding is, however, relatively complicated and the adjustment of the correct release force is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, there is a real need in the art for a safety ski binding which provides maximum security for the skier, both in response to traction forces as well as torsional forces, and which allows for simplified and positive adjustment of the release force for the ski binding. The primary objective of this invention is, therefore, to provide an improved safety ski binding which effectively and reliably fulfills this need.

Another, more specific object of the present invention relates to a new and improved safety ski binding of the third type mentioned above, which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture on a mass produced basis, extremely robust, not readily subject to malfunction, and provides increased security for the skier inasmuch as it is capable of responding to lateral forces as well as falls of the skier forwardly or rearwardly.

Yet, another object of this invention relates to an improved safety ski binding which, while relatively simple in construction, allows for accurate adjustment of a desired release force at which the ski binding will open in response to both traction as well as torsional forces.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the safety ski binding of the invention incorporates at least one securing head equipped with a locking or latching mechanism for fixing the securing head in its lowered position. The locking mechanism engages with the retaining arms of the ski binding, and furthermore, is subjected to the action of the counter force of at least one spring member. Upon exceeding the force adjusted at the spring member, the locking mechanism releases the securing head, and thereby frees the boot of the skier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of securing head of the inventive safety ski binding, shown in a position wherein the securing head is raised at the side facing the boot in order to facilitate insertion of the ski boot into the securing head of the binding;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the securing head depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the securing head shown in FIG. 2, taken substantially along the line Ill-Ill thereof;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to the view shown in FIG. 3, however employing a further embodiment of latching or locking mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a side view, partially in section, of a variant form of securing head for the inventive ski binding, depicting same in raised position; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the securing head shown in FIG. 5, taken along the line VIVI thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings and, more specifically, directing attention to the embodiment of inventive safety ski binding depicted in FIGS. 1-3, it is to be understood that reference numeral 1 designates the attachment plate for the securing head which is secured by means of counter sunk screws 3 to the upper surface of a ski, only one such screw being shown in FIG. 1 in order to preserve clarity in illustration. Hingedly connected to the attachment plate 1, through the agency of a pin member of hinge joint 4 which is mounted at the attachment plate 1, is a pivotable head piece 5. Two retaining or holding arms 6, in the form of lever members, are pivotably arranged at the headpiece 5, these retaining arms 6 rendering possible a lateral deviation, in other words a lateral movement of the boot out of the binding. The exact mounting of the retaining arms 6 at the headpiece 5 does not form part of the present invention inasmuch as such has been described and claimed in my copending U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 860,614, filed Sept. 24, i969, entitled Securing Head For Safety Bindings, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,572,738 to which reference may be readily had for further explanation of the attachment of such retaining arms.

Now, it will also be observed that a threaded screw member 23 extends axially through the securing head of the invention and enables adjustment of the prebias of a spring member 8 arranged internally of the securing head. This spring member 8 therefore exerts an adjustable counter force upon the holding or retaining arms 6 which counteracts the lateral deviation or rocking of these holding arms, here shown in the form of pivotably mounted or articulated lever members.

Continuing, it will be observed that at the upper surface of the headpiece 5 and centrally between both holding arms 6 there is arranged a tilting lever member 13. This tiltable lever member 13 is rotatably mounted at its central region by means of a horizontally arranged shaft member 9, as best shown by referring to FIG. 2. Tiltable lever member 13 cooperates via its lever portion 13a at the side facing the ski boot with a locking or latching mechanism for the securing head, which mechanism will be described in further detail hereinafter.

On the other hand, the lever portion 13b directed towards the head of the screw member 7 serves to release the locking mechanism in that, for instance, a pressure is exerted upon this lever portion 13b of the tiltable lever member 13 through the action of the tip of the ski pole, by way of example.

Now by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there will be described in greater detail the construction and operation of the locking or latching mechanism heretofore mentioned, this locking mechanism serving to retain the securing head of the safety ski binding in its operable position, that is in a position for skiing, and which then also releases the ski boot when exceeding a load limit or boundary value, when this load does not occur laterally and transverse to the direction of travel of the skier, rather in the direction of travel.

A web member is arranged at the attachment plate 1, this web member either being formed as one piece with the attachment plate 1 or rigidly connected therewith. As readily observed by referring to FIG. 3, web member 10 extends between both of the retaining or holding arms 6 and carries two pawl members 11 which are rotatably mounted at this web member 10 with the aid of the bolt members 12. Both pawl members 11 possess a curved configuration and engage with one respective arm thereof in the associated recess 15 of the associated retaining or holding arm 6, thereby these pawl members hold the securing head in its lowered position and thus maintain the ski boot upon the ski. So that the arm portion 14 of each pawl member 11 cannot be rocked inwards there is advantageously provided an intermediate member 16 between these pawl members 11, this intermediate piece or member 16 being secured to the tiltable lever member 13. The intermediate member 16 is adjustable-in width and consists of a nut member 17 possessing right-hand and left-hand threading and two distance or spacer heads 18 screwed therein, so that by rotating the nut member 17 it is possible to selectively adjust the spacing between the spacer heads or members 18.

Now, with the securing head in the lowered position depicted in FIG. 3 such cannot be raised because of the intermediate member l6 engaging between the pawl members 11. The other arm 19 of each pawl member 11 serves for guiding such pawl members during lowering of the securing head such that the intermediate piece or member 16 can be inserted therebetween.

With the benefit of the foregoing description of the structure of the locking mechanism, its operation is as follows: As illustrated in FIG. 2, the spring member 8 presses upon the part or component 22 of the retaining arms 6, wherein the prestress or prebiasing of such spring member 8, as already explained, can be selectively adjusted through suitable rotation of the screw head 7 of the screw member 23. The force of this spring member 8 therefore prevents lateral deflection or rocking of the retaining arms 6. Now, if a load is applied to the ski boot which exceeds the force of the spring member 8 and which acts in the direction of travel of the skier, then, both retaining or holding arms 6 are spread along the pawl portion 14, so that the securing head can be raised and the intermediate member 16 can be removed out of the space between the rear portions 14a of the pawls 11. Consequently, the securing head and therefore the ski boot is released.

The described locking mechanism therefore provides a safety feature for the skier against overloading of the skier through the presence of loads which act in the direction of skiing. On the one hand, the spring member 8 limits the retaining force with respect to loads acting transversely or laterally with respect to the direction of travel of the skier and, on the other hand, also limits the loads acting in the direction of travel of the skier. Since, with the described construction there is only required the use of a single spring member 8, there is achieved a relatively simple and thus reliable functioning construction of the securing head of the safety ski binding.

The utilization of a single spring member 8 for limiting the holding force with which the boot is retained in the binding, both during loads acting transversely as well as in the lengthwise direction, afford still'further advantages in that with the simultaneous presence of lengthwise acting loads and transversely acting loads the holding force is reduced with respect to release of the locking mechanism. During transverse loading of the securing head, one of the retaining arm members 6 is laterally rocked or pivoted and therefore no longer engages with the pawl portion 14. Since in this case only one of the holding arms is in its engaged position, there is provided a reduction in the release force necessary for raising the securing head and therefore for releasing the ski boot. Hence, in particularly critical situations, that is to say, when there is present a combined lengthwise directed load and a transversely directed load, the ski will release much easier from the ski boot without requiring a reduction of the holding force during normal skiing situations. Consequently, the

securing head of the safety ski binding of the invention affords an increased security or safety factor for the skier.

In order to prevent wear of the retaining or holding arm 6 due to sliding along the associated pawl portion I4, it is possible to provide at the floor of the associated recess IS a hardened plate member 25, for instance formed of sintered or carbide metal, which can be secured to such floor or bottom of the recess in any suitable fashion. Furthermore, both of the portions of the pawl members which slide upon one another and the retaining arms can be advantageously hardened.

In the embodiment of securing head heretofore described with respect to FIGS. [-3, the locking mechanism could be released with the aid of the pivotable or tiltable lever 13 so that the securing head could be raised with the aid of spring force into the position depicted in FIG. I. In order to provide a complete safety binding, two of the heretofore described securing heads are used, one for the toe and the other for the heel of the boot. However, in order to insert the ski boot it is not necessary that both securingheads be placed in the raised position by means of the tiltable lever. It is quite satisfactory if one of the securing heads, whether such be at the toe of the boot or at the heel of the boot, possess a tiltable lever 13 by means of which, as the case may be, the ski binding can be released by climbing out of the ski. Additionally, it should be understood that for the operation of the safety binding the tiltable lever 13 is not absolutely necessary, and in place thereof there could be used a fixed piece which forms an integral member together with the portion of the securing head 5 extending over the back of such head.

FIG. 4 depicts a further embodiment of locking mechanism for the securing head of the inventive ski binding wherein in contrast to the arrangement of locking mechanism depicted in FIG. 3, here there are not employed any pawl members. Since one is concerned with a locking mechanism which only opens during falls, there is not provided any tiltable lever member for releasing the locking mechanism. A securing head employing'a locking or latching mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 4 must be combined with a securing head having a release possibility for the locking mechanism in order to render possible stepping in and stepping out with the ski boot.

Now, more specifically, in the arrangement of locking mechanism depicted in FIG. 4, reference numeral 30 designates both of the retaining or holding arms which are covered for the most part by means of the portion 31 of the securing head 5 which extends over the back of the securing head. A web member 34 is arranged at the attachment plate member 32, similar to the attachment of the support or retaining plate 1 of FIGS. 1-3 to the ski, as previously disclosed. This web member 34 can be formed of a single piece together with the attachment plate member 32. Web 34 possesses recesses 35 in which, in the lowered position of the securing head, there engage the nose members 36 arranged at the retaining or holding arms 30.

Upon release of the securing head during a fall parallel to the direction of skiing, the nose members 36move along the upper edge or marginal portion 37 of the recesses 35 until they disengage from such recesses 35. Thereafter, the retaining or holding arms 30 again close and move along the edge or surface 38 of the web 34, so that the securing head is raised. Release of the securing head occurs in the same manner as with the embodiment of securing head depicted in FIG. 3, wherein the holding or retaining arms 6 move along the arms 14 of the pawls 11. The only difference resides in the absence of a release possibility by means of a tiltable lever. If the securing head together with the locking mechanism in FIG. 4 is to be brought into its lowered position, then it is only necessary to press down the nose members 36 of the retaining arms 30 to such an extent until these nose members engage with the recesses 35, whereby the securing head is again rendered operational.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a further embodiment of looking or latching mechanism in which a web member 34' is arranged to be lengthwise displaceable so that it can be moved to a location outside the point of engagement of the nose members 36. As a result the securing head can be raised. To this end, the web member 34' possesses the form of an angle member, one leg 40 of which is guided in a guide plate 41. This leg portion 40 is equipped with grooves 42 at both sides, into which engage the pin members 43 which are fixedly connected with the tiltable or pivotable lever 44. Lever 44 is mounted to be rockable about the shaft member 45. Shaft member 45, in turn, is mounted at the headpiece 5.

Continuing, it will be understood that the tiltable lever 44 is equipped with a plate member 46 having an opening 47 into which there can be inserted the ski pole. Further, an angle member 48 is arranged at the portion 31 of the securing head 5' for the purpose of downwardly pressing the securing head by means of the toe or tip of the boot. The guide plate 41 is retained in position by securing ledges 50 which, in turn, are secured to the ski by suitable nonillustrated screws or equivalent fastening expedients and, further, the ledges 50 are connected with one another by a thin cover plate disposed at the surface of the ski and covering the leg member 40. The tiltable lever 44 and the securing head are retained in the position illustrated in FIG. 5 by means of a respective spring 51 and 52.

The securing head embodying the displaceable locking or latching mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, functions in the following manner: Upon stepping into the binding with the ski boot the securing head is downwardly pressed by means of the bracket or angle member 48, so that the nose members 36 of the retaining arms 30 together with the adjustment piece 30' engage with the plate member 34. As a result the securing head assumes its operating position. During skiing, the securing head functions as a safety ski binding in that, upon exceeding the force of the spring acting upon the locking mechanism, the retaining or holding arms 30 together with their nose members 36 are raised over the web 34', and'the ski boot is then released from the ski. Naturally, the retaining arms 30 could also open laterally and release the ski boot in this manner.

If it is desired to step out of the binding, then the ski pole is placed into the opening 47 of the plate member 46 and the tiltable or pivotable lever 44 is rocked downwardly against the force of the spring 51. As a result the pins 43 (FIG. 5) rock towards the right and move the leg member 40, so that the web 34' likewise is moved towards the right. As a result, web 34' is displaced towards the right to such an extent until the nose members 36 are no longer engaged. Then, the securing head, under the action of the spring 52, is raised into the position shown in H0. 5.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A safety ski binding comprising at least one securing head, means for pivotably mounting said securing head to be raisable at the side facing the ski boot of a skier to facilitate insertion of such ski boot into the ski binding, a pair of laterally pivotable retaining arm members carried by said securing head and having free ends for holding the ski boot and laterally pivotable for releasing such ski boot, a locking mechanism provided for said securing head positioned to cooperate with said retaining arm members for fixing said securing head in a lowered position, said locking mechanism being engageable with predetermined regions of said retaining arm members, at least one spring means provided for said securing head for exerting a counter force upon said locking mechanism, so that when a force is applied to the ski binding which exceeds the adjusted force of said spring means, said spring means releases said locking mechanism and therefore said securing head.

2. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring means exerting a counter force uponsaid locking mechanism simultaneously acts upon said retaining arm members to exert a counter force upon said retaining arm members, said counter forces being responsive to forces exerted on the ski binding in the lengthwise and transverse directions thereof.

3. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism incorporates two rotatably mounted pawl members engageable with said securing head, and an intermediate member for spacedly positioning said pawl members when the latter engage with said securing head.

4. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, further including means for adjusting the width of said intermediate member, a pressure-actuated tiltable lever at which said intermediate member is arranged and serving for releasing said locking mechanism.

5. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, further including means defining recesses forming said predetermined regions of said retaining arm members, each said pawl member being mounted to assume a locking position in which it engages with the associated recess of the associated retaining arm member.

6. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, wherein each pawl member is constructed as a double-arm lever member, one arm of which bears against said intermediate member and the other arm of which bears against its associated retaining arm member for the purpose of introducing said intermediate member.

7. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for pivotably mounting said securing head comprises an attachment plate member for rotatably supporting said securing head, web means arranged between said retaining arm members for rotatably mounting said pawl members, said web means being fixedly connected with said attachment plate member.

8. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises web means arranged between said retaining arm members, said web means being provided with recesses, each of said retaining arm members having a nose member engageable with an associated recess of said web means when said securing head assumes its lowered position.

9. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 8, further including a guide plate connectable with the upper surface of the ski, bracket means for mounting said web means at said guide plate, a tiltable lever, pin means pivotable by means of said tiltable lever and engaging with said bracket means, whereby upon pivoting of saidtiltable lever said web means is displaceable through the agency of said pin means. 

1. A safety ski binding comprising at least one securing head, means for pivotably mounting said securing head to be raisable at the side facing the ski boot of a skier to facilitate insertion of such ski boot into the ski binding, a pair of laterally pivotable retaining arm members carried by said securing head and having free ends for holding the ski boot and laterally pivotable for releasing such ski boot, a locking mechanism provided for said securing head positioned to cooperate with said retaining arm members for fixing said securing head in a lowered position, said locking mechanism being engageable with predetermined regions of said retaining arm members, at least one spring means provided for said securing head for exerting a counter force upon said locking mechanism, so that when a force is applied to the ski binding which exceeds the adjusted force of said spring means, said spring means releases said locking mechanism and therefore said securing head.
 2. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said spring means exerting a counter force upon said locking mechanism simultaneously acts upon said retaining arm members to exert a counter force upon said retaining arm members, said counter forces being responsive to forces exerted on the ski binding in the lengthwise and transverse directions thereof.
 3. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism incorporates two rotatably mounted pawl members engageable with said securing head, and an intermediate member for spacedly positioning said pawl members when the latter engage with said securing head.
 4. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, further including means for adjusting the width of said intermediate member, a pressure-actuated tiltable lever at which said intermediate member is arranged and serving for releasing said locking mechanism.
 5. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, further including means defining recesses forming said predetermined regions of said retaining arm members, each said pawl member being mounted to assume a locking position in which it engages with the associated recess of the associated retaining arm member.
 6. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, wherein each pawl member is constructed as a double-arm lever member, one arm of which bears against said intermediate member and the other arm of which bears against its associated retaining arm member for the purpose of introducing said intermediate member.
 7. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for pivotably mounting said securing head comprises an attachment plate member for rotatably supporting said securing head, web means arranged between said retaining arm members for rotatably mounting said pawl members, said web means being fixedly connected with said attachment plate member.
 8. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking mechaNism comprises web means arranged between said retaining arm members, said web means being provided with recesses, each of said retaining arm members having a nose member engageable with an associated recess of said web means when said securing head assumes its lowered position.
 9. A safety ski binding as defined in claim 8, further including a guide plate connectable with the upper surface of the ski, bracket means for mounting said web means at said guide plate, a tiltable lever, pin means pivotable by means of said tiltable lever and engaging with said bracket means, whereby upon pivoting of said tiltable lever said web means is displaceable through the agency of said pin means. 